Steve Pisarkiewicz
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1953)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name=Steve Pisarkiewicz
|number=15, 19
|position=Quarterback
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1953|11|10|mf=y}}
|birth_place=Florissant, Missouri, U.S.
|height_ft=6
|weight_lb=205
|height_in=2
|high_school=McCluer (MO)
|college=Missouri
|draftyear=1977
|draftround=1
|draftpick=19
|pastteams=* St. Louis Cardinals ({{NFL Year|1977|1979}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1980}})
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|1982}})
- Philadelphia Stars (1983-1984)
- Orlando Renegades ({{USFL Year|1985}})
- Cardiff Tigers (1986-1988)
- Birmingham Bulls (1989)
- Barcelona Boxers (1990)
|highlights =
|statlabel1=Passing completions
|statvalue1=64
|statlabel2=Passing attempts
|statvalue2=143
|statlabel3=Completion %
|statvalue3=44.8
|statlabel4=Passing yards
|statvalue4=804
|statvalue5=3-7
|statlabel6=Passer rating
|statvalue6=49.4
|pfr=PisaSt00
}}
Stephen John Pisarkiewicz ({{IPAc-en|p|ɪ|ˈ|z|ɑː|r|k|ə|w|ɪ|t|s}} {{Respell|piz|AR|kə|wits}};{{cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/17957467|title=Steve Pisarkiewicz|access-date=July 27, 2020}} born November 10, 1953) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 1977 NFL draft with the 19th overall pick. In addition to the NFL, Pisarkiewicz played in the Canadian Football League (CFL), United States Football League (USFL), BAFA National Leagues in Britain and Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano in Spain during his career.
College career
After graduating from McCluer High School in Florissant, Missouri, Pisarkiewicz was recruited by Tennessee but joined the Missouri Tigers; he was considered the best passer at Missouri since Paul Christman and drew attention from NFL scouts.The Tuscaloosa News, September 8, 1975 In 1975, Pisarkiewicz led the Big 8 in passing yards, and was second in passing touchdowns.[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/steve-pisarkiewicz-1.html Steve Pisarkiewicz Missouri Stats]
Professional career
=NFL=
Pisarkiewicz was drafted 19th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1977 NFL draft, apparently at the insistence of owner Bill Bidwill.[https://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~maxymuk/home/qbabstract/startless10nq.html The Quarterback Abstract] Expected to take over the starting job from the aging Jim Hart, he failed to impress head coach Bud Wilkinson and started just four games in his time in St. Louis.[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/worst-time-first-round-picks-184200812--nfl.html Worst All Time First Round Picks][http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=pisarste001 JustSportsStats Steve Pisarkiewicz]
After leaving St. Louis, Pisarkiewicz played in one game in 1980 for the Green Bay Packers.[https://packerspastperfect.wordpress.com/2016/01/ Top Ten Worst Packer Quarterbacks]
=CFL=
In 1982, Pisarkiewicz was picked up by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[http://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/06/17/Pisarkiewicz-GetsNew-Chance-in-CFL/8483393134400/ Pisarkiewicz gets new chance in CFL] However, his opportunities there proved limited and he soon moved back to the US.
=USFL=
Pisarkiewicz spent 1983 with the Philadelphia Stars but again found playing time limited.[http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl/83philro.php 1983 Philadelphia Stars Roster] He was given two years probation in the same year after pleading guilty to an incident of indecent exposure in Clayton, Missouri.The Spokesman Review – July 21, 1983
He spent time in 1985 with the Orlando Renegades.[http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl/renros.php 1985 Orlando Renegades Roster]
Europe
=Cardiff Tigers 1986-1988=
In 1986, Pisarkiewicz moved to the United Kingdom and played for the Cardiff Tigers in the Welsh capital. The then-33 year old served as the starting quarterback and a coach. In 1987, the Tigers finished 7–5, while in 1988, Pisarkiewicz threw 44 passing touchdowns.[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1989/11/19/former-renegade-goes-international/ Former Renegade goes international]
=Birmingham Bulls=
In 1989, following the dissolution of the Cardiff Tigers, Pisarkiewicz joined the Birmingham Bulls. Due to the absence of starting quarterback Russ Jensen. Pisarkiewicz salary was the highest in British American football.God Save The Quarterback!, Michael Globetti, 1991 Pg. 75 Pisarkiewicz played in one game for the Bulls, against the Dublin Celts before resigning due to internal strife.God Save The Quarterback!, Michael Globetti, 1991 Pg. 118
=Dublin Celts=
Pisarkiewicz joined the Dublin Celts as their head coach and general manager.God Save The Quarterback!, Michael Globetti, 1991 Pg. 118 He coached the Celts to the playoffs, before swiftly departing for the United States where he presented the Celts with an ultimatum.God Save The Quarterback!, Michael Globetti, 1991 Pg. 274
=Barcelona Boxers=
In 1990, after leaving the Celts, Pisarkiewicz became quarterback for the Barcelona Boxers in Spain.God Save The Quarterback!, Michael Globetti, 1991 Pg. 274
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Missouri Tigers quarterback navbox}}
{{1977 NFL Draft}}
{{St. Louis Cardinals 1977 draft navbox}}
{{CardinalsFirstPick}}
{{Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pisarkiewicz, Steve}}
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Missouri Tigers football players
Category:St. Louis Cardinals (football) players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Sportspeople from Florissant, Missouri